Explosive encapsulated device

ABSTRACT

An electrical structural unit comprises a plurality of electrical components which are arranged together in proper circuit orientation within a housing which is packed or filled around the electrical components with an insulating material which comprises an explsoive. A synthetic resin material is used to bound the explosive and in one embodiment the explosive is admixed with fillers such as a textile material, synthetic resins and glass fibers.

Uited States Patent n 1 Thomanek 154] EXPLOSIVE ENCAPSULATED DEVICE [76]Inventor: Franz Rudolf Thomanek, Sandizell 38 5 1, Landkreis,Schrobenhausen, upper Bavaria, Germany [22] Filed: Jan. 12, 1966 [21]Appl. No.: 520,547

[52] U.S. Cl. ..l02/70.2 R, 174/52 PE [51] Int. Cl. ..F42b 1/00, F42b13/48 [58] Field of Search ..102/70.2; 174/50,

l74/50.5, 52 PE [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bixby ..1o270.2

[113 3,732,822 1 May 15,1973

3,166,015 1/1965 Tuve et al.., ..l02/70.2

Primary Examiner-Verlin R. Pendegrass Attorney- McGlew & Toren [57]ABSTRACT An electrical structural unit comprises a plurality ofelectrical components which are arranged together in proper circuitorientation within a housing which is packed or filled around theelectrical components with an insulating material which comprises anexplsoive. A synthetic resin material is used to bound the explosive andin one embodiment the explosive is admixed with fillers such as atextile material, synthetic resins and glass fibers.

8 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure PATENTEU "W 51973 lnventor: FRANZ RUDOLFTHOMHNEK B 7 MFA/Wi EXPLOSIVE ENCAPSULATED DEVICE SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION This invention relates in general to encapsulated electricalstructures and in particular to a new and useful electronic orelectrical structural unit having a plurality of interconnectedelectrical components embedded within an explosive material.

It is well known to encapsulate electronic structural units whichinclude individual resistances, condensers, inductances, diodes,transistors and similar electrical elements which are interconnected inproper circuitry and encapsulated by means of an insulating materialsuch as a plastic or resin. Such encapsulating materials usually effecttwo functions, that is, filling the space between the components andholding them in proper spatial relationship, and also to electricallyinsulate and separate the elements from each other. The space fillingmaterial should have electrical insulating qualities and also mustprovide means for fixing the relative position of the individualstructural elements irrespective of any acceleration which may act onthe unit, and also to protect the structural unit against atmosphericattacks. A rapidly polymerizing synthetic resin has been applied to suchunits under vacuum condition in order to prevent any hollow spaces fromappearing within the unit and which would have a tendency to glimmer orglow after construction. The synthetic resins which are used for thispurpose are customarily admixed with fillers, such as quartz meal andother mineral and fiber materials.

For certain fields of utilization of such electronic structural units,particularly in the aviation field and for flying bodies or missiles,there is a problem of arranging the electronic units within the flyingbody for the control and the guidance of the flying body and for theignition of the explosive charge contained therein in such a manner thatthere remains sufficient space for the explosive charge. Preferably, thespace for the explosive charge should be in the area of the flying bodywhich is most suitable for its respective field of application or use.

Certain installations require that the electronic structural elements beaccommodated at predetermined areas of the flying bodies such as wherethey must control the flight thereof for seeking out the target.Heretofore it has been necessary to include such units in the flyingbodies at the expense of a reduction of explosive charge.

In accordance with the present invention, an encapsulated electronic orelectrical unit is provided with explosives employed as an encapsulatingmaterial for filling the space between the electrical structural units.It has been found that most explosives are excellent electricalinsulators. By providing a complete electronic package in this mannerwhich includes explosives, it is possible to locate the electronic unitsin those areas within a flying body or missile at which the location ismost desirable for the particular purpose and without any interferencewith the structural elements or the explosives contained in the device.

In accordance with the invention it is particularly advantageous if theexplosive charges are of the kind which give off splinters. This is sobecause with the use of electronic structural units according to theinvention, the entire flying body can be disassembled in a simple andsafe manner. In addition, flying bodies which miss their target can bedecomposed or deassembled into many small harmless parts, and this is ofimportance for anti-aircraft devices in particular.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide an improvedencapsulated electrical unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical unit whichincludes aplurality of interconnected electronic components embedded inan explosive material. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide an encapsulationstructure which is simple in design, rugged in construction andeconomical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there is illustrated and described a preferredembodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

The only FIGURE of the drawing is a perspective view, partly in section,of an electronic component for use in a flying body.

Referring to the drawing in particular, the invention embodied thereincomprises an electronic unit which, for example, may be employed forcontrolling an operation of a flying body or missile and which includes,in the embodiment shown for example purposes, a resistor l, condenser 2,diode 3, transistor 4, and similar electronic components which arearranged together in an electronic unit 5 includes an encapsulation byan explosive material which is advantageously applied around theelectronic components and thereafter permitted to harden. Such anelectronic structural unit is comparable to an ordinary structural unitwith the electrical components spaced apart and encapsulated with resinsas in prior art arrangements.

It should be appreciated that the configuration of the unit 5 is, ofcourse, adapted to the geometry of the particular space in which theunit is to be accommodated and also to the particular requirements whichare to be met by the electronic units and the explosive charge.

Experiments have shown that the structural elements of the electronicunit, including the diode transistors, are insensitive in respect to theprocessing temperature of the explosive. In addition, the dielectricproperties of the explosives which are used are so good that theelectrical properties of the inventive unit are certainly comparable tothose of the customary units which are filled with ordinary insulatingmaterials. However, in the event that differing electric constants ofresin and explosive should influence particularly sensitive electronicstructural units in respect to the function of the latter, then this canbe considered by particularly arranging the structural elements withinthe circuit. It is also recommended in the event ofextraneous materials,for example in respect to electrical elements which give off gas, tocoat these elements prior to the casting or filling with the explosivewith a protective film 7, preferably a lacquer layer of small thickness.

For a space filling and an encapsulating material, an explosive of highexplosive bound'with synthetic resin is preferably employed. Anexplosive may be used which consists of a multiple nitro body and highlyexplosive crystal admixtures. Preferably the explosive material shouldbe secured against crack formations in its hardened phase by suitableadditions, as, for exam ple, mononitronaphtalin or substances which havesimilar action. In some instances it is desirable to admix explosivematerial with textile filler, synthetic resins or glass fiber fillers inorder to improve its drawabilityv With certain electronic structuralelements as, for example, condensers, it is advantageous to coat themwith a neutral protecting lacquer of small layer thickness in order tothereby prevent disadvantageous reaction between the explosive and thestructural elements and which may give off gas and moisture.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the inventiveprinciples, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical structural unit comprising a plurality of electricalcomponents arranged together in proper circuit orientation, and aninsulating material filling the space between said electricalcomponents, which insulating material is an explosive.

2. An electrical structural unit according to claim 1,

including a synthetic resin material bounding the explosive.

3. An electrical structural unit according to claim 1, wherein saidexplosive includes a meltable component and a crystallized component.

4. An electrical structural unit according to claim 1, wherein saidexplosive includes additions such as mononitronaphtalin.

5. An electrical structural unit according to claim 1, wherein saidexplosive includes admixtures of materials to prevent crack formationafter the explosive has hardened.

6. An electrical structural unit according to claim 1, wherein saidexplosive is admixed with fillers such as textile material, syntheticresins and glass fibers.

7. An electrical structural unit according to claim 1, wherein theindividual electrical structural elements are coated with a neutralprotective film.

8. An electrical structural unit according to claim 1, wherein theindividual electrical units and said explosive are arranged in aconfiguration adapted to the respective use to which the explosive is tobe put.

2. An electrical structural unit according to claim 1, including asynthetic resin material bounding the explosive.
 3. An electricalstructural unit according to claim 1, wherein said explosive includes ameltable component and a crystallized component.
 4. An electricalstructural unit according to claim 1, wherein said explosive includesadditions such as mononitronaphtalin.
 5. An electrical structural unitaccording to claim 1, wherein said explosive includes admixtures ofmaterials to prevent crack formation after the explosive has hardened.6. An electrical structural unit according to claim 1, wherein saidexplosive is admixed with fillers such as textile material, syntheticresins and glass fibers.
 7. An electrical structural unit according toclaim 1, wherein the individual electrical structural elements arecoated with a neutral protective film.
 8. An electrical structural unitaccording to claim 1, wherein the individual electrical units and saidexplosive are arranged in a configuration adapted to the respective useto which the explosive is to be put.